纳米医学与纳米技术杂志

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Methanol, Ethanol and Acetone Sensing Using AACVD-grown Tungsten Oxide Nanoneedles

Thamri A, Baccar H, Annanouch FE, Llobet E and Abdelghani A

We report on the aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition growth of either pure or gold-nanoparticle decorated tungsten oxide nanoneedles, directly integrated onto alumina transducers for achieving resistive gas sensors. The morphology of the different samples grown is studied by scanning electron microscopy and by atomic force microscopy. The performance of these nanomaterials for the detection of methanol, ethanol and acetone vapors at ppm levels is studied. It is found that the detection of these species is possible even in a background of nitrogen where oxygen is present at ppm levels only. The presence of Au nanoparticles on the surface of tungsten oxide nanoneedles significantly increases sensitivity towards the vapors considered. Additionally, Au loading enhances the kinetics of surface reactions and helps decreasing response time. The detection mechanism and the role of Au nanoparticles is discussed in light of the experimental findings.